Kid Mardi Gras Craft Ideas

Mardi Gras Necklace - Gather together a variety of dried pastas that have a hole through the center (Like ziti, for example). Color and decorate the pasta any way you choose (Remember that traditional Mardi Gras colors are purple, green, and gold). I suggest spray painting them in gold or other metallic colors. Another alternative could be to color with markers and spray with spray glitter. You could also use glitter glue on the pasta. Let the pasta dry completely. Cut a 12-18 inch length of yarn. Tape one end to a table or piece of cardboard so that the "beads" won't fall off your string. Wrap a piece of tape around the other end of the yarn. String as many beads as you want on the string. Tie the 2 ends of the yarn in a double knot.

Mardi Gras Noise-Makers - Decorate the back side of 2 paper plates in the traditional colors. Staple or tape 12-18 inch long streamers around the outside edge of one of the plates on the non-decorated side. Hot glue a craft stick to the rim of the plate and pointing outward to make a handle. Place the second plate on top of the first one with wrong sides together. Staple around the outside edge of the 2 plates to staple them together, leaving a small gap opposite the stick handle. Staples should be close enough together to prevent the beans from falling out. Put some dry pinto beans through the hole between the plates and then staple shut.

Mardi Gras Float - Here's an idea for a float that really floats (if you want it to). Use a styrofoam meat tray that has been completely cleaned and sanitized (I run mine through the dishwasher.). Spray paint it gold or another traditional color. Glue anything you have around the house to your float. Some examples include: buttons, ribbons, tissue paper, leftover silk flowers and petals, beads, feathers, aluminum foil scraps, sequins, glitter, etc. Let dry completely.

Mardi Gras Eye Mask - Print out the basic mask template. Trace the template onto thin cardboard (cereal boxes work well). You can decorate it any way you want. When we did these last year, we glued on pieces of aluminum foil and feathers. Whatever you use to decorate, let it dry completely. Staple a straw or glue a craft stick onto one side of the mask to make a handle.

Mardi Gras Necklace - Paint pieces of dry pasta or color them with markers... the kind of pasta that you can use as beads. Then string the dry pasta onto pieces of yard to make a necklace. Super easy! Little kids always love art they can wear!

Jester Craft - This cute court jester is made with a toilet paper tube, a printer, a piece of paper, some crayons, scissors and glue. I always prefer to use a heavy paper (like construction paper), but it isn't necessary.

Mardi Gras Noise Maker - Instructions for making a festive, Mardi Gras noise maker out of paper plates.

Mardi Gras Mask - This is a Mardi Gras mask project for bigger kids. It uses sequins, beads, etc. and craft foam.

Jester's Hat - This project is a lot of fun to make and wear. Be sure to change the colors to green, purple, and yellow to make it fit in with the Mardi Gras theme.

Miniature Mardi Gras Float - Use an old shoebox to create a one of a kind Mardi Gras float decoration.

Mardi Gras Mask Beaded Safety Pin - This is a pattern for making safety pin jewelry for the occasion.

Mardi Gras Mask and Beads - These Nestle created crafts are made with candies instead of beads and sequins.

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